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Stoptober – make the switch

2020 – the year to end smoking

It is officially that time of year again, Stoptober is here again folks – with the current covid-19 pandemic sweeping the nation this year, there has never been a better reason on giving up the smokes.

The need and want for smokers to quit has been very evident this year with a recent surge in the number of people who have stopped smoking throughout the UK. According to a recent report by ASH (Action On Smoking And Health) stated the following:

“Over a million people in the UK have stopped smoking since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country. A further 440,000 smokers tried to quit during this period.”

The numbers speak for themselves; it appears that people seem to be putting their lungs and immune systems first this year as we all try to make it through the current pandemic unscathed.

How difficult is it to stop smoking?

It certainly is more than achievable, but it really depends on the individual. Every human being is wired differently – some find that stopping smoking is a near impossible task whilst others are not too phased by the process. Nicotine addiction is very powerful as it affects a smoker’s mood, emotions and behaviour. If a smoker uses tobacco to cope with unpleasant emotions and feelings, it can become increasingly difficult for them to give up the habit when they attempt to do so. The smoker may also link their smoking with social activities (in the pub, going for a coffee with a friend). All these factors point back to the evidence that giving up smoking for good is a tough habit to break.

What are the effects of nicotine withdrawl?

People who have used tobacco regularly for a long period of time will undoubtedly experience some type of withdrawal symptoms when they stop suddenly or greatly reduce their nicotine intake. While these withdrawals carry no danger, the symptoms can be extremely unpleasant. They tend to start within only a few hours and peak massively when most of the nicotine leaves your system. These symptoms can last for several weeks but improve every day that a person stays free of tobacco.

Nicotine withdrawal symptoms can include any of the following according to Cancer.org:

  • Dizziness (which may last a day or 2 after quitting)
  • Depression
  • Feelings of frustration, impatience, and anger
  • Anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Trouble sleeping, including trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, and having bad dreams or even nightmares
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Restlessness or boredom
  • Headaches
  • Tiredness
  • Increased appetite
  • Weight gain
  • Slower heart rate
  • Constipation and gas
  • Cough, dry mouth, sore throat, and nasal drip
  • Chest tightness


These symptoms can lead a person to start using tobacco again to boost blood levels of nicotine and bring an end to their withdrawal symptoms.

What are the options?

#1 – GO COLD TURKEY

Going cold turkey means giving up smoking without any kind of aid in the form of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or switching to a vape. Whilst this method does have its success stories, experts argue that the results from this approach generally are not that great. Research over the past 25 years has shown that out of 100 people trying to quit smoking cold turkey, about three to five will succeed past six months.

#2 – NRT (nicotine replacement therapy)

The most-commonly used of quit smoking medications, NRT helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms by giving the user a small, controlled amounts of nicotine but without the other dangerous chemicals found in cigarettes. It is important to understand that while NRT can undoubtedly help users with their withdrawal and cravings, it will not completely rid them from their urges to smoke. Types of NRT include Patches, Gums, Lozenges, Inhalers and Nasal Sprays.

#3 – Make the switch to a vape

E-cigarettes (aka Vapes) are reported to be ‘three times more effective than nicotine patches and gum’ when used as a quitting aid according to a study by the University College London. E-cigarettes are becoming more and more popular with smokers looking to kick the habit as it allows the user to replicate the sensation of smoking tobacco. E-cigarettes do not produce carbon monoxide or tar – the two most harmful chemicals contained in traditional tobacco cigarettes. Not to sound biased or anything as an e-liquid manufacturer – but we think you should definitely give vaping a go.

What we’re doing to help

Stoptober is quite a big month in the vaping world with many smokers across the UK every year ditching the ciggies for a vape. Some ex-smokers find the transition over to an e-cig quite easy, while others can find it an overwhelming experience – with so much choice out there in terms of hardware and e-liquid brands. This illusion of choice is the core reason why we’ve decided to launch our ‘Make The Switch’ campaign – aiming to simplify the vaping journey for smokers through providing them with information and guidance that’s of value.

 

Click here to take a look at this section of our site where you can find:

 

5 things every new vaper needs to know
Vaping facts
Interactive cost calculator – work out how much you could save per year by switching
E-cigarettes explained
E-liquids explained

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Health & Wealth

How Much Does Smoking Cost Britain?

How much does smoking cost Britain? We all know smoking is bad for your personal finances. If you’re smoking 20 a day, you’re spending nearly £5,000 a year. That’s enough for a fancy all-inclusive holiday or to buy takeaway pizza for tea every single night. However, did you know that smoking affects everyone’s finances, even people that don’t smoke? Yep – sad but true. Smoking is that much of an expensive habit. It costs the NHS lots of money, means people have to take time off work, and causes damage to infrastructure and buildings. ‘Hang on’… you might be saying. ‘Don’t the taxes on smoking help fund things in the country?’ Unfortunately, this is a common misconception, often mumbled by your Uncle Dave in the pub after half a bottle of Teacher’s and a 20 pack of Silk Cut. It’s true that tobacco duty goes back to The Government, which uses it to fund the NHS and other public health initiatives. With the increase in duty announced in the 2023 budget, tobacco duty currently accounts for about £4.90 for a pack of 20 cigarettes, plus 16.5% of the retail price. So while The Treasury does get just over £10 billion a year from tobacco duty, it’s still running at a loss when you consider the overall impact of smoking on the economy. Let’s do a deep dive into some of the ways smoking can affect the country’s coffers. Smoking and the NHS Smoking and productivity in the workplace Smoking and environmental cleanup Smoking and fires So can vaping turn things around? In summary: Is smoking the reason why we can’t have nice things? Smoking and the NHS This is the biggie – smoking costs the NHS in England £2.6 billion a year. And that’s just one part of the country – it costs the Scottish NHS £780 million a year, the Welsh NHS £302 million a year, and hospitals in Northern Ireland £164 million a year. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the world, causing a myriad of diseases, from COPD and stroke to heart disease and cancer. This puts a lot of pressure on the NHS in helping to cure and alleviate these diseases. Not only this, but smoking adversely affects the healing process. This means smokers are more likely to experience complications after surgery and require longer hospital stays. Smoking also indirectly causes other health problems. For example, smoking affects the body’s ability to absorb calcium, leading to brittle bones and conditions like osteoporosis. Smokers are twice as likely to have problems conceiving than non-smokers, and women are more likely to experience menopause sooner. These issues cost the NHS money to manage, not just through surgery but medication and therapy. Second-hand smoke is also a major issue – when people smoke, they’re harming not just themselves but their family and friends. It’s estimated that people exposed to second-hand smoke have a 30% increased chance of developing lung cancer and a 35% increased risk of heart disease. It’s vital to throw social care in the mix here too. It’s estimated that smokers need help ten years earlier than non-smokers. This puts the strain on local authorities and adult social care services to the tune of £1.2 billion a year. Smoking and productivity in the workplace Most people just think of the NHS when it comes to how much smoking costs Britain. However, there are other things to consider as well. Smokers are more likely to be absent and take sick days at work, as well as cost more in pensions and benefits. Studies have shown that it costs companies £4,600 more to hire a smoker than a non-smoker a year. Not only this, but smokers are more likely to experience irritability and impatience at work, potentially affecting performance and output. Nobody wants to go into a Zoom meeting with someone going through nicotine withdrawal! Let’s talk about smoke breaks at work. It’s estimated that smoke breaks throughout the day cost businesses £8.4 billion a year in lost time. And if your non-smoking staff demand to take breaks at the same time in order to ensure equality, that figure only goes up! On a more depressing tangent, smokers are more likely to die or have to take long-term sickness when they’re still of working age, meaning a further blow to the economy. Smoking and environmental cleanup Have you played ‘avoid the soggy cigarette tabs’ on the commute to work or while taking the kids to school? If the answer is yes, you’ll know all about the environmental issues that smoking can cause. It’s estimated that cleaning and disposing of cigarette butts costs local councils about £40 million a year. And while councils do come down hard on those that they catch littering, most people are unfortunately getting away with it. Cigarette butts contain over 4,000 toxic chemicals that can pollute the earth and waterways, causing damage to wildlife and destroying our fragile ecosystems. So while we have an idea of how much it costs to clean up cigarettes, we don’t completely know the cost in terms of long-term harm to the environment. There are also more minor costs involved in removing smoke from homes, vehicles, and buildings too. Nobody wants to smell like they live or work inside an ashtray, after all! Smoking and fires We’ve all seen the ads on the telly where someone lights a cigarette in bed, and boom – the whole house is on fire before you know it. Unfortunately, smoking remains the top cause of fatal fires, with about 25% of fire-related deaths caused by cigarettes. While we don’t have specific statistics for how much fire damage costs fire and rescue services across the UK, callouts aren’t cheap. Plus, as fires caused by smoking are preventable, it means that fire and rescue services may not be able to attend other emergency situations, compounding the damage even further. When you factor in insurance costs, loss of livelihood, and property damage, it’s easy

Health & Wealth

Are you Eligible for a Free Vaping Starter Kit?

Are you eligible for a free vaping starter kit? What do you have a one in five chance of being? For example, you have a one in five chance of having hazel eyes. If you’re over the age of 65, there’s a one in five chance you don’t know how to swim. There’s also a one in five chance that you’ll think that Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster will be discovered by science. Right, hands up if you believe that one… There’s also a one in five chance you might be eligible for a free vaping kit in the near future. Earlier this month, the UK Government announced that it was providing funding so one million smokers could stub out their cigarettes for good and give vaping a go. The scheme, called ‘swap to stop’, has been described as the first of its kind in the world. So if it works, there’s the possibility that other countries could follow suit. The swap to stop scheme is estimated to cost £45 million over the course of two years. Let’s be honest; we all love a freebie. With this in mind, you’re probably wondering if you’re eligible for some free vaping goodies and if so, when you can get your hands on them. Keep reading because this article will explain everything you need to know! Why is The Government giving out vaping starter kits? But why vaping? Why not just encourage people to quit smoking? Will I get a vaping starter kit? What will be in the vaping starter kit? Is anyone guaranteed a vaping starter kit? When will I be able to see if I’m eligible? Has anything else been announced as part of the scheme? But I can’t wait! I want a vaping starter kit now! In summary: will you be getting a free vaping kit? Why is The Government giving out vaping starter kits? Excellent question. The UK Government is giving out vaping starter kits because it wants the country to become smoke-free by 2030. (Okay, 5% of the population isn’t technically ‘smoke-free’, but it’s better than nothing, right?) At this moment in time, The Government will miss this target unless it takes drastic measures. The primary focus of the smoke-free initiative is young people and people living in deprived areas. To combat young people taking up smoking, The Government has raised the legal smoking age from 16 to 18, and there are talks of increasing it even further. People in deprived areas are four times more likely to smoke than those in more affluent areas. This might sound counterproductive as smoking costs money, but people in low-income households are more likely to smoke as a coping mechanism and to relieve stress. Plus, it’s a vicious cycle. People smoke because they have financial pressures, further exacerbated by spending money on cigarettes. But why vaping? Why not just encourage people to quit smoking? The UK Government wants people to quit smoking for good. Getting people to stop smoking cold turkey may sound impressive, but if they’re back on the cigarettes two weeks later, it’s all been a waste of time and money. Vaping is the most effective smoking cessation tool on the market, even more so than gum or patches. Studies have shown that people who vape are more likely to eventually quit smoking. The great thing about vaping is that you can gradually cut down on nicotine without inhaling any disgusting chemical substances in cigarettes like carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and tar. Plus, as vaping gives you something to do with your hands and mouth, it feels like a proper alternative to smoking. Still not convinced? Here are five reasons why you should give vaping a go! Will I get a vaping starter kit? Honest answer… we’re not sure yet! The Government will encourage councils across the UK to apply for funding. The councils will then determine which residents are eligible for a vaping starter kit. We strongly believe that local authorities will prioritise low-income households and people living in deprived areas. This has been done before with great success. For example, in 2022, Norfolk County Council gave vaping vouchers to residents in certain areas, with 15% of people quitting smoking for good. However, some local councils may use different criteria, for example, targeting young smokers or people with chronic health conditions. Others might even have a ‘first come, first served’ approach. What will be in the vaping starter kit? Again, the UK Government hasn’t gone into the nitty gritty. It’s highly probable that local councils will decide what to include in the kits. It’s likely that the kit will contain a piece of hardware that’s easy to use and maintain, like a vape pod or vape pen, as well as a couple of e-liquids. Essentially everything that a smoker needs to get started with vaping straight away. Some councils may even give customers vouchers for a local vaping store, meaning they can buy what they want – this is what they did in Norwich. Customers get the freedom of choice, and the nearby vape shops get a nice bit of well-deserved promotion – everyone’s a winner! One thing that is highly likely not to be included in a vaping starter kit? A disposable vape. These single-use vapes have got a lot of flak recently for not just being bad for the environment, but encouraging kids to try vaping. So if you’re hoping for a neon pink Gnome Bar or two in your starter kit, you’re probably not going to get one. And in our honest opinion, that’s a good thing. Is anyone guaranteed a vaping starter kit? Not a starter kit as such, but as part of the Government initiative, pregnant women will be offered up to £400 to stop smoking. 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